SHE’S tried every diet under the sun and battled with her weight, and now one Neath Port Talbot woman spoken out about her struggles with the scales and reaching her goal.

Lynda Griffiths, from Neath, has lost 8st 6.5lbs, and says she couldn’t feel better.

She said: “I’d tried losing weight before — I’ve done pretty much every diet under the sun — but I always found the plans that I followed too hard to stick to because they left me feeling hungry and deprived, which made me pretty fed up and miserable.”

But it wasn’t until Lynda joined Aberdulais Slimming World group that she really started to see changes.

Since joining the group in August 2013, Lynda has gone from 19st 9.5lbs to 11st 3lbs.

She added: “I can remember the first time I walked into the group like it was yesterday. I felt so self-conscious and was extremely nervous, everyone was really welcoming though and I soon made friends.

“Now I look forward to seeing everyone and how they’ve got on. We swap recipes and advice, and it’s a lot of fun. There’s a serious side too, though, and we really are there for one another which is really important, especially if you’re having a tough week. If I’ve ever been struggling the group have been there to remind me how far I’ve come and not to give up as well as giving me great ideas for getting back on track.”

Lynda’s transformation even inspired members of the group to vote her as their representative in the annual Woman of the Year competition.

After winning the regional heat, Lynda secured a place in the national semi-finals, which put her in the running to win the overall title.

She was just one of just 45 women from across the UK and Ireland who made the finals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2014 competition.

Lynda said she was shocked to be nominated and was pleased she joined the group.

“Slimming World was completely different, I don’t have to go hungry and I’ve never once felt like I’m missing out on anything,” she added.

After Lynda’s weight loss, not only has she been in the running for the top award, but her achievement has received celebrity congratulations.

Actor Will Mellor, who is best known for his roles in Hollyoaks, Casualty and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, has congratulated Lynda and said he was amazed with her weight loss.

He said: “Throughout my career I’ve been lucky enough to meet and work with lots of incredible people, and I’d certainly add Lynda to that list now. What she’s achieved is so inspirational, she’s completely changed her life — and her family’s life for that matter — and she looks great!”

Donna Jones, who runs the Aberdulais group said: “Lynda hasn’t only changed how she looks, she’s a different woman on the inside too. She’s blossomed into a happy, confident woman and it’s been a pleasure to share in her journey. She’s already such an inspiration to so many of us in the Aberdulais group and I hope she’ll inspire even more people now.”